Transformation · lines 2, 5, and 6

Success in Small Matters becomes Lack of Firmness

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Wind blows under heaven as three lines change, and something slips in that you may not be taking seriously. Both judgments count equally. The starting hexagram calls for small achievements and warns against going past your means. The resulting hexagram, 44 Lack of Firmness, describes unsuitable people or situations around you that you think you can control; it may even be a bad habit. Without attention and firm limits, they take control over you. Together they warn against a quiet kind of overreach: believing you can handle more than you can. Be honest about which influences are working against you. Set clear, firm boundaries now, while they're still small. Modesty here means admitting you're not immune, and acting before the habit or the relationship becomes stronger than you.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. The judgment of 62 Success in Small Matters

    This isn't a time for great things; it's a time for small achievements. Recognizing that will help you live in step with the moment. Trying to go beyond your present means and resources will lead you astray and waste your efforts.

    Success. Constancy is favorable. Small things can be done, not great ones. The flying bird leaves its call behind: it is not fitting to rise, it is fitting to descend. Great good fortune.

  2. The judgment of 44 Lack of Firmness

    You're surrounded by unsuitable people or situations. You know it, but you think you have the power to control them and don't take them very seriously; it may even be a bad habit. If you don't pay attention and set firm limits, they'll take control over you and you won't be able to pull away.

    The woman is strong. Do not take her as a wife.

  3. Line 2 of 62 Success in Small Matters

    Recognizing your limitations right now and focusing on small achievements will bear fruit.

    Passes the grandfather and meets the grandmother; does not reach the lord and meets the minister. No fault.

  4. Line 5 of 62 Success in Small Matters

    Your humility will help you find people who will act on your behalf.

    Thick clouds, yet no rain, out of our western fields. The prince shoots a corded arrow and takes what is in the cave.

  5. Line 6 of 62 Success in Small Matters

    If you insist on chasing goals that are out of reach for now, you'll lose whatever you put into them.

    Not meeting it, goes past it. The bird in flight falls into the net. Misfortune. This is called calamity and ruin.

The trigrams

Below Mountain Wind
Above Thunder Heaven

The way back

44 Lack of Firmness → 62 Success in Small Matters
lines 2, 5, and 6

Other transformations of Success in Small Matters

Make your own cast

The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.

Toss the coins